In an abandoned building on the outskirts of Seoul, darkness had settled heavily.
People wearing deep hoods sat in a circle around a round table.
“This test goes beyond a simple field test of the device; it also involves the elimination of a specific target. This is a directive from above, and there must be absolutely no mistakes.”
A man draped in a black robe spoke as he placed a device on the table.
*Thud!*
Another person, similarly clad in a black robe and a deep hood, asked in a sharp voice, “Elimination of a specific target? The test level has suddenly jumped up. So, who is the target for removal?”
Judging by the thin, delicate voice, it seemed to be a woman.
At her question, the man replied in a thick, low voice.
“Karl Buckman.”
As the name Karl Buckman left his mouth, those gathered at the table flinched visibly.
“Are you talking about the Holy Emperor’s Karl Buckman?”
“Is there any other Karl Buckman? Regardless, the higher-ups are expressing concern over the Holy Emperor’s deep involvement in Korea. Since William Kreft of the Holy Emperor actively participated in the Mana Stone Amplifier project, there is a chance he might recognize the amplifier additionally installed on the device. That’s why we’re moving to eliminate Karl Buckman. If something goes wrong for him in Korea, the relationship between the Holy Emperor and Korea will certainly sour. If that happens, they won’t interfere in Korean affairs anymore.”
The device was capable of arbitrarily manipulating the ecology of a Dungeon.
Furthermore, it was equipped with a Mana Stone Amplifier, a project once conducted in top secret in the United States.
They were concerned that the Holy Emperor, having participated in that project, might recognize the amplifier attached to the device.
If the Holy Emperor obtained the device, they would naturally recognize the amplifier and track down those involved in the project.
Therefore, to leave no room for the Holy Emperor to interfere in Korean affairs, they planned to break the relationship between Korea and the Holy Emperor by eliminating Karl Buckman.
Unfortunately, they were unaware of one thing.
That device had already flowed into the Holy Emperor’s hands through Seong-jun.
At the man’s words, another man in a black robe spoke up, sounding puzzled.
“I understand that much. But how do we know when, where, and which Dungeon he will enter?”
“We’ve planted someone in the Holy Emperor’s Korean branch. If they move, we’ll be contacted immediately, and then we can execute the plan. Even if the team is mainly consisting of A-ranks, the leader, Karl Buckman, is only a half-measure S-rank. If B-rank monsters start a wave inside the Dungeon, it won’t be easy for them to survive.”
One half-measure S-rank and seven A-ranks.
It was certainly a powerful force, but it was nearly impossible for them alone to handle a wave of thousands of B-rank monsters.
Once they entered the Dungeon, as long as they blocked any additional parties from entering, they could easily eliminate him and disguise it as a Dungeon accident.
At that, a man asked cautiously, “Then who among us will enter the Dungeon to activate the device?”
“Unlike previous simple tests, this one has a target for removal. Stealthy and swift movement will be the key. There is only one person among us suited for such a mission. Jennifer, can you do it?”
The one called Jennifer was the woman who had asked who the target was.
From what could be seen of her appearance, she seemed to be Asian, but the name Jennifer appeared to be an alias rather than her real name.
“Hmm, I only need to activate the device and get out immediately, so it shouldn’t be difficult. The issue is the time until the Dungeon closes. How long does it take for the Dungeon to close after activation with this device?”
At Jennifer’s question, the man who seemed to be the leader spoke as if it were a trivial matter.
“35 minutes. Should that be enough?”
After activating the device, it took 35 minutes for the Dungeon to close.
Considering one had to sneak out without bumping into monsters, it wasn’t exactly a generous amount of time.
“It’s much shorter than last time. 35 minutes, you say… well, I suppose it’s possible, but it won’t be exactly easy. If I run into monsters while escaping, I might not be able to get out.”
At Jennifer’s comment, the man spoke in a low, heavy voice.
“I believe it is well within your capabilities. I’ll contact you as soon as it looks like Karl Buckman is entering a Dungeon, so be fully prepared to move at any time.”
His tone suggested he wasn’t even considering the possibility of her not making it out, and Jennifer accepted those words casually.
“Tsk, it can’t be helped. I got it, so just make sure to contact me on time.”
Following her words, the leader looked around at the group.
“You are all likely aware that the frequency of Break Dungeons appearing has increased recently. It can be seen as a very appropriate time to test the device that triggers a Dungeon Break. So, once this test is over, we plan to combine the Dungeon Break triggering device with the current one and enter full-scale testing. The first phase will be conducted simultaneously in the three major Northeast Asian countries—Korea, Japan, and China. If the results are satisfactory, we will conduct additional tests in Europe for the second phase, so be fully prepared to move at any time. That’s all for today. You are dismissed.”
They were going beyond triggering waves and closing Dungeons; they were now attempting to arbitrarily cause a Dungeon Break.
And they planned to test that device in the major Northeast Asian countries of Korea, Japan, and China.
It was unclear what they were aiming for by doing this, but one thing was certain: it would put humanity in danger and would never be of any help.
—
A meeting room at the Korea Awakener Association.
An interview with Seong-jun was currently underway.
They had considered holding a press conference like last time, but the opinion was raised that it might be better to invite a reputable program for an interview instead, so they proceeded that way.
“Following the Taean Incident, I heard you played a massive role in this recent Dungeon Break situation as well. You played a very significant role in suppressing the Seoul Dungeon Break early on. Furthermore, I heard you treated all the critical patients whose lives were in jeopardy?”
At the host’s question, Seong-jun replied with a smile.
“Strictly speaking, you could say I was lucky. It just so happened that a pack of bosses attacked the temporary shelter, and it just so happened that the main forces of the Holy Emperor, Changcheon, and Genesis, along with myself, were there. Ah! The other guilds dispatched to defend the temporary shelter were also a big help. Anyway, it was the result of everyone joining forces, not thanks to the performance of any one person. And I believe treating the injured is naturally what a Healer should do.”
Seong-jun strictly refrained from making statements that could become controversial and focused on standardized answers during the interview.
This was because he knew well that there was nothing to be gained from showing off unnecessarily in such a place.
“Haha, you are humble as expected. Then, shall we change the subject? While the situation in Seoul was resolved within the limits of Ahyeon-dong, the damage in Jeju Island is said to be enormous. And public opinion is dominant that the Korea Awakener Association should take responsibility for things coming to this point. What do you think about that, Healer Kim Seong-jun?”
Finally, the question he had been waiting for arrived.
Seong-jun’s eyes sparkled as he opened his mouth.
“No one can predict the appearance of a Break Dungeon. And since the required number of people and the remaining time for each Dungeon vary, it’s not easy to respond. It’s essentially no different from a natural disaster. Especially in the case of Seoul and Jeju Island, which suffered damage this time, the fact that Break Dungeons occurred simultaneously was a big factor, but above all, it was fatal that the remaining time in both places was less than 1 hour. It was a woefully insufficient amount of time to confirm the existence of the Break Dungeon and respond to it. In such a situation, no Association in the world would have found it easy to respond.”
At Seong-jun’s words, the host asked cautiously, “Then are you saying it is wrong to hold the Awakener Association responsible for this incident?”
Seong-jun shook his head at the host’s question.
“That’s not it. Just as the government takes responsibility for resolving a situation when damage from a typhoon, earthquake, or drought occurs, it is only natural for the Awakener Association to take responsibility when damage from Dungeons and monsters occurs. It’s just that there is a need to clarify where the Association’s responsibility begins and ends.”
Once an incident occurred, someone had to take responsibility, and it was natural for that responsibility to fall on the Association that managed Awakeners and Dungeons.
The important thing here was exactly how far the scope of responsibility that could be demanded of the Association extended.
“In that case, Healer Kim Seong-jun, how far do you believe the Association should be held responsible?”
“Just because a typhoon hits, an earthquake occurs, or a drought happens, you can’t demand to know why the government let those things happen, can you? The government isn’t a god and cannot control naturally occurring disasters. It’s only natural to clarify the locus of responsibility—whether they prepared sufficiently, whether those preparations were inadequate if they were made, and how they handled the situation after the disaster occurred, as well as how the aftermath was processed—and hold them responsible only for the parts where they went wrong. I view this situation in the same context.”
Seong-jun compared the Association to the government and the Break Dungeon to a natural disaster, delivering a sharp critique of the excessive theories of responsibility being placed on the Association.
“The creation of a Break Dungeon cannot be stopped by anyone in the world. In other words, the occurrence of the Dungeon Break itself was an act of god. What we need to look at is what happened after that. We should question how the Association handled the situation after the Break Dungeon was created, whether there were any inadequacies in their response, and whether that response was indeed the best they could do, and then hold them accountable for those things.”
Because the damage from this incident was so large, people were pouring all their sorrow, resentment, and anger onto the Association.
As a result, a situation had arisen where even things that were not the Association’s responsibility were being blamed on them.
Through this interview, Seong-jun argued that instead of carrying out an excessive witch hunt based on emotion, there was a need to view the situation objectively and judge it coolly.
“I see. I have listened well to your words, Healer Kim Seong-jun. Do you have any final words you would like to share?”
When the host asked for final remarks, Seong-jun nodded and spoke.
“First of all, I would like to say that my statements are strictly my personal opinion. Since everyone thinks differently, one cannot say definitively what the right answer is. However, I just hope people know that the Association, as well as us Hunters, are doing our best to somehow minimize the damage when such situations occur.”
After taking a brief breath, Seong-jun continued his words.
“Furthermore, I wish to offer my condolences to those who suffered damage from this incident. I’m not sure how much comfort this will provide, but I plan to donate 10 billion won toward the recovery efforts, so I hope it will be of at least some help to the victims.”
Seong-jun finished his remarks by announcing a donation of 10 billion won.
Although he had nearly 100 billion won in his bank account, 10 billion won was by no means a small amount.
Nevertheless, Seong-jun boldly threw down that large sum.
It was partly for image management, but it was also because he knew that showing something through action rather than just talking was the way to give weight to his statements.
Meanwhile, the host looked surprised at the mention of a 10 billion won donation.
“Hah! You’re donating 10 billion won?”
Looking at the surprised host, Seong-jun spoke with a smile.
“Yes. I was at the center of the devastating scene myself, and as such, I know well how great the damage is. Someone lost their home, someone lost a beloved family member, and someone else lost a partner or a close acquaintance. The sound of a child crying miserably in the middle of a city center turned into a wasteland by monsters still lingers in my ears. I’m not sure how much this money I’m donating will help, but I hope it provides even a little bit of assistance to those spending their days in sorrow and despair.”
At Seong-jun’s words, the host spoke with an expression of admiration.
“Are you practicing noblesse oblige? You are truly amazing.”
“Haha, it’s not quite that much.”
“Nonsense. How is it easy for an individual to donate 10 billion won? Anyway, thank you for the interview today. I will look forward to your great performances in the future.”
Having said that, the host looked at the camera and spoke.
“Today, we invited Healer Kim Seong-jun to talk about the recent Dungeon Break incident. Although it will take a considerable amount of time for the damage from this incident to heal, I believe we can certainly overcome it if everyone joins forces. Then, I will see you next time.”
As the host finished the closing remarks…
“Cut! Good work, everyone.”
With that, the interview concluded.
“I know you are one of the busiest and most popular people in Korea, so thank you for coming out like this.”
As the host stood up and spoke to Seong-jun with a smile, Seong-jun also replied with a smile.
“Don’t mention it. Anyway, please edit it well, and I’ll see you again if there’s another opportunity.”
After a brief exchange of greetings, Seong-jun finished the interview and left the meeting room.
—
Once the program aired, the reaction was extremely heated.
-Whoa!
As expected of Kim Seong-jun.
Look at the class of that 10 billion won donation.
-Is it just the donation?
They say there’s more than one or two people who were saved by Kim Seong-jun during this incident.
Plus, he still goes to OO Hospital every Thursday to treat people for free.
There’s a reason why he’s called a Saint.
-By the way, there were parts of his statements regarding the Association that I also agreed with.
Weren’t there many exceptional parts to this incident, so isn’t it a bit much to hold the Association solely responsible?
-That’s true.
Break Dungeons were created in four locations simultaneously—not just Seoul and Jeju Island, but also Incheon and Busan.
Especially for Seoul and Jeju Island, they say the remaining time was only 40 minutes and 1 hour.
-Isn’t it our national trait to swarm and bite anyone who gets caught?
Since it’s a good opportunity, people are attaching all sorts of reasons to chew them up and spit them out.
-Actually, there was a bit of a witch-hunt feel.
Isn’t it a bit much to blame the Association for the Break Dungeons appearing?
Like Kim Seong-jun said, just because an earthquake happens, you don’t go to the government and ask why they let an earthquake happen.
-The Saint’s words are the truth.
As the contents of Seong-jun’s interview were released through the video, the excessive theories of responsibility directed toward the Association began to gradually subside.
Seong-jun’s statement that if responsibility was to be held, it should only be for the inadequate or wrong parts, began to gain traction.
Perhaps because of that, the atmosphere at the Association had also brightened considerably compared to before.
“Haha, as expected of Healer Kim Seong-jun. The atmosphere has changed a lot with just one interview.”
“Exactly. People who were criticizing the Association using all sorts of nonsensical reasons were dominant, but now public opinion that we should weigh the pros and cons and hold responsibility only for the wrong parts is gaining strength.”
“It’s a relief. At this rate, we might have all had to step down together, but at least we’ve avoided that kind of situation thanks to him.”
The Association officials seemed relieved by the current atmosphere, which had been reversed with a single interview.
They could have all been swept away by this incident, but thanks to Seong-jun, they had at least escaped that outcome.
Looking at them, the Association President said, “Fortunately, thanks to Healer Kim Seong-jun’s timely interview, the excessive theories of responsibility being forced onto the Association are losing strength. But this is not the stage where we can feel relieved. It is at times like this that the Association must actively step forward and show itself resolving the situation. First, release as much available funding as possible and pour it into damage recovery. And don’t just sit here giving orders; go out to the sites yourselves. As I said before, it is up to us how we maintain this atmosphere that Healer Kim Seong-jun has created.”
Seong-jun had reversed the atmosphere with a single interview, fulfilling his promise.
He had once again proven that joining hands with him was the right choice.
Now, what remained was how to maintain this atmosphere he had turned around.
And this part was solely the responsibility of the Association.
“By the way, doesn’t Kato Asumi come from Japan soon? To maintain the current atmosphere, we have to put all our effort into this side, but we can’t exactly neglect that side either. What should we do?”
To maintain the reversed atmosphere, the entire Association had to step forward actively.
However, in just 2 days, Kato Asumi would be coming to Korea leading the main force of the Ookami Guild, so they had to pay attention to that as well.
“Damn it, why did she have to choose this time to come to Korea and complicate things? For now, concentrate all your effort on recovering from the damage in cooperation with related government departments. The ones holding our leashes are the Hunters and the citizens of our country, not Kato Asumi. Even if a problem arises, we can deal with it then.”
They couldn’t neglect Kato Asumi, but they couldn’t throw everything else away and focus only on her either.
This was because they couldn’t ruin the atmosphere Seong-jun had worked hard to create because of Kato Asumi.
Therefore, the Association President told them to focus a bit more on resolving the situation and recovering from the damage than on Kato Asumi.
No matter what anyone said, the ones holding their leashes were the Korean Hunters and citizens.
Then, someone suggested a new idea.
“Instead of that, how about we change the purpose of Kato Asumi’s visit to Korea from being because of Healer Kim Seong-jun to being because of this incident?”
The Association President showed interest in those words.
“Hmm? Connect her visit with this incident?”
“That’s right. Isn’t she also called a Saintess in Japan? We can make it so that the purpose of her visiting a neighboring country is to offer condolences because an unexpected misfortune occurred in Korea. Of course, this would have to be discussed with Kato Asumi’s side beforehand.”
It sounded like a decent idea, so the Association President thought about it seriously.
“That’s not bad. Since she said she would stay in Korea for about 5 days, she could take about a day to look around the damage sites and offer a few words of comfort to those who suffered. This works. First, contact Ookami and convey our intentions. Since she is also called a Saintess in Japan, she won’t point-blank refuse. It helps her image management as well.”
The Association’s proposal was not a bad one for Kato Asumi either.
Since she was called a Saintess in Japan, she could also boost her image in connection with this incident if she was coming to Korea anyway.
“Understood. I will contact Ookami as soon as the meeting ends.”
“Ah! And the Director of Information Management, stay behind for a moment after this. Healer Kim Seong-jun made a separate request related to this matter, and the Bureau of Information Management needs to handle it.”
Tasks like identity laundering had mostly been handled by the Bureau of Information Management.
Since controlling the target’s information was the key, it was most efficient for the Bureau of Information Management, which managed information within the Association, to handle it directly.
That was why the Association President called for the Director of Information Management specifically.
“Then, let’s wrap up the meeting here. Everyone, get moving. You’ll have to move busily for a while to keep this flow going.”
Having said that, the Association President stood up from his seat.
As he left the meeting room, the Director of Information Management, Choi Guk-hwan, followed hurriedly behind him, and the rest of the officials also quickly filed out.